Facilitator Prep Sheet: The Alien Act

--Who is writing?
Federalists in the United States Congress are writing.

--Who is the audience?
The audience, at this time, was the French. This is because Congress was waging an undeclared navel war with France, and Congress was cautious about enemies of war within the United States.

--Who do the writers represent?
The writers represent Federalist ideals. The writers definitely do not represent Republicans, as they were opposed to the Federalist ideals.

--What is being said, argued and/or requested?
The document states that all native citizens, denizens, or subjects of the country with whom the United States is at war, shall be liable to be apprehended, restrained, secured and removed, as alien enemies. The document proceeds to state that if alien enemies aren’t convicted of actual hostility or other crimes against the public safety, they will be allowed gather their belongings and then be deported. In addition, the document states that the several courts of the United States will apprehend and convene alien enemies before court of justice. After conviction of the alien enemies, the several courts have the authority to deport them from the United States or give sureties for their good behavior, or to restrain them. Lastly, the document states that the marshal of each district in which any alien enemy is convicted has the authority to deport them from the United States.

--What proof and/or justification is being used to legitimize the request?
In reality, this document doesn’t contain any intended persuasions through justification. The entire document is a list of statements or enforced policies.